Toni King - Medicare Survival Guide Advanced: Basics and Beyond

Medicare Survival Guide Advanced

Basics and Beyond

Toni King

Dedication

I want to extend a special Thanks to the local editors of each Houston Chronicle/ Houston Community weekly neighborhood throw newspaper which gave me the platform to write the Toni Says Medicare Column.

Most of all I want to thank God for putting the passion in my heart to not give up and to fight each day helping those that do not understand this complicated governmental system and need guidance and assistance in making their correct Medicare choices.

Many Blessings,

Toni King

On October 10, 2010, I began my journey as a weekly Medicare columnist in 3 of the Houston Community Newspapers, the Fort Bend Sun, Sugar Land Sun and Katy Rancher. I never dreamed that I would become the local Medicare expert in the Houston Texas are

Now 10 years later, the Toni Says Medicare column is in most of the Houston Chronicle weekly newspapers (that purchased the HCN newspapers in 2016) totally about 31 various Houston metro and surrounding cities.

Each week, many of the Toni Says weekly readers visit the Toni Says office with folders of the weekly articles cut out and saved for future use because they cannot receive an adequate answer from the Medicare and You Handbook or when they call Medicare or Social Security 800 number asking their specific questions.

It was then, that I decided to take the weekly articles and expand my original Medicare Survival Guide book because the average Americans Medicare needs have changed. Baby Boomers who are retiring with or without company benefits are confused and overwhelmed due to companies changing or stopping retiree Medicare benefits. They all want and need answers to their specific needs.

The motto at the Toni Says office is,

with Medicare, Its what You DONT Know that WILL hurt you!!

Take your time viewing the different sections and topics such as Enrolling in Medicare at the Right Time or the Right Way?, Different Medicare Plans and Understanding the Famous Donut Hole. If your situation is not found in this guide, then email the Toni Says website with your questions and one of the Toni Says team will respond. We can be reached at .

Happy Medicare Search,

Many Blessings,

Toni

Make sure you get your Welcome Kit from Medicare at least 3-4 months prior to turning 65 or, if under 65, it will come when you are approved for Medicare, or past 65 when enrolling in Medicare after retiring leaving employer benefits.

Make sure you have Medicare Part B (Medical care) on your Medicare red, white and blue card. Original Medicare has 2 parts. Part A for Hospital which is free but Part B for Medical (doctors services out-patient care and services, home health care, etc.) you must enroll in Part B and pay a premium to have all the benefits that Part B covers

If you have insurance from an employer, union, VA, or TRICARE, check with Human Resources to see how the plan works with Medicare Part B. VERY IMPORTANT

Get a Welcome to Medicare physical exam within your first 6 months of having Medicare Part B. (Dont be fooled. This is not a free physical. Co-pays and Part B deductible will apply.)

Ask your Doctor which preventive services (like screenings, shots, and tests) you should get. Bring your list and get medical check list online at https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/10110.pdf then take to your doctor to schedule the preventative services.

Important Web Sites and Phone Numbers

MEDICARE www.medicare.gov

1/800-MEDICARE 800/633-4227 TTY users 877/486-2048

SOCIAL SECURITY www.socialsecurity.gov

To Enroll in Medicarewww.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly

Social Security Account www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount

/800-772-1213TTY users 1/800-325-0778

Call for address or name changes, death notification, to enroll in Medicare, to replace your Medicare card, to get information about signing up for EXTRA HELP with prescription drug costs, and about Social Security Benefits.

RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD

Local RRB office or 1/877-772-5772

Call for address or name changes, death notification, to enroll in Medicare and to replace your card.

MEDICAID - Contact your local Medicaid office

The person, who is on Medicare today, is no different than those on Medicare when LBJ signed Medicare into law on July 30, 1965. Little did President Johnson know just how confusing the new government program would be for the average individual on Medicare? I bet you cannot imagine what the first premium for Part B of Medicare was in 1965. Are you sitting down? It was a whopping $3.00 a month

As President Johnson signed Medicare into law, former President Truman was sitting beside him to see his idea happen. President Truman lobbied for years to get a program that would help those receiving Social Security benefits. He knew that the average person that was on social security could not afford their health care. What would President Truman think about todays health care situation?

President Truman was the first person to enroll in the Medicare Program. I wonder if Mr. Truman would be as confused as most people on Medicare about understanding the rules that Medicare has, or if he would even know how to stay out of the famous Donut Hole?

Medicare has its problems, but it is still here for you! The first Part B premium was $3.00 a month. In 2000, the Part B premium was $45.40 per month and in January 2022; the Part B premium is $170.10.

In todays times, a Medicare beneficiarys Part B premium is income based depending on what your MAGI (modified adjusted gross income) is. Below are the Medicare Part B and Part D prescription drug IRMAA (income related monthly adjusted amount) premiums. Below are the 2022 Medicare Part B and Part D premiums.

(Example Only)

(Monthly Premiums Change Each Year)

(Example Only)

(Monthly Premiums Change Each Year)

Part D (Medicare Prescription Drug) Monthly Premium